Daly secures place at U.S. Masters
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (Reuters) -- John Daly is "totally excited" to have secured a spot at next week's U.S. Masters after just one appearance at the event in the last three years.
The 37-year-old American earned his 10th invitation to Augusta National by staying in the top 10 in the PGA Tour's money list.
He did so despite sliding to 79th at The Players Championship on Sunday after closing with an eight-over-par 80.
"I live to play the Masters, like most of the guys out here. I haven't been too often in recent years, so it's a thrill for me to be going back," he told media.
Defending champion Mike Weir will head a field of around 95 players in the opening round at Augusta National organizers said on Monday.
Five players have received last-minute invitations to compete in the first of the year's four majors, lifting the overall total to 103.
But Augusta officials expect eight ageing past champions will decline to play.
"It's always difficult to predict the exact number but I think you can bank on roughly eight former winners not teeing off in the first round," a spokesman said.
Some past champions accept they can no longer be competitive at Augusta, but the likes of six-times winner Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer will be in action next week for their 44th and 50th Masters starts.
Lucky five
Twice major champion Daly, Australia's Craig Parry, South African Trevor Immelman, Britain's Brian Davis and American Todd Hamilton were the five to receive invitations on Monday.
Daly made his debut at Augusta National in 1992, tying for 19th. His best Masters finish was a share of third in 1993.
His place in next week's field had been in doubt, though, as he fell off the pace on Sunday, when Australian Adam Scott clinched the second PGA Tour title of his career with a final-round 70.
Had American Kenny Perry finished alone as runner-up, Daly's automatic spot at Augusta would have disappeared.
However, Ireland's Padraig Harrington vaulted into second place with a superb six-under-par 66.
That meant Perry (71) had to settle for a share of third, level with Phil Mickelson (71) and Frank Lickliter II (72).
"I feel like I'm playing well enough right now that maybe I can contend this year at Augusta," added Daly, winner of the 1991 U.S. PGA Championship and the 1995 British Open.
"If I can keep hitting the driver well and putt it halfway decent, I should be okay. I love it there. I love being there."
